Philippians 2:1-11 (NRSV)
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Chapter 2If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, Verse 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Verse 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Verse 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Verse 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, Verse 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, Verse 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, Verse 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death- even death on a cross. Verse 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, Verse 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Verse 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Devotion
An old friend used to tell the story about an African-American preacher invited to preach to an Anglican congregation accustomed to reverently bowing their heads when Jesus’ name was proclaimed. This preacher had a habit of repetition during his sermons, frequently calling out “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” The bowing heads in the congregation resembled a flock of bobblehead dolls. Ecumenism can do some strange things. May we be willing to be fools for Christ as we show our devotion to him.
Prayer
O God, through your Spirit, move our hearts and humble our posture to demonstrate to the world God's surpassing glory in the suffering Christ. Amen.